The breast screeningunit which was in Poringland in the spring has now left the area. For patients that missed their appointment or are outside the screening age but can request screening once every three years, should call the screening team on 01603 287777.

Vaccination Schedule

Children's Immunisation Schedule

The Practice partakes in the national primary childood immunisation programme, with both our Doctors and Nurses administering vaccinations.

The majority of invites for vaccinations will be sent to parents by NHS Norfolk and Waveney Commissioning Support Unit, although we also send some letters ourselves. A childs first vaccinations are administered at the same consultation (8 weeks) as the GP completes the post natal check for mothers.

The invitation for the final primary immunisation at between 15 and 16 years is also sent by the Practice.

The local School Nursing Service arranges the immunisation programme for girls aged between 12 and 13, who are offered an HPV vaccination against cervical cancer caused by certain types of Human Papillomavirus. This immunisation will happen at school.

Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Influenza – flu – is a highly infectious and potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year the make-up of the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that the World Health Organization decide are most likely to be circulating in the coming winter.

Regular immunisation (vaccination) is given free of charge to the following at-risk people, to protect them from seasonal flu:

people aged 65 or over,

people with a serious medical condition such as Asthma, Diabetes or COPD

people living in a residential or nursing home

the main carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer becomes ill

healthcare or social care professionals directly involved in patient care, and

Pregnant women & the Flu Vaccination

It is recommended that all pregnant women should have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy they're in. This is because there is good evidence that pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu, particularly from the H1N1 strain.

Studies have shown that the flu vaccine can be safely and effectively given during any trimester of pregnancy. The vaccine does not carry risks for either the mother or baby. In fact, studies have shown that mothers who have had the vaccine while pregnant pass some protection to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.

Shingles vaccination

A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to people in certain age categories. Our Practice Nurses administer the vaccine to our patients.

The injection is given as a single vaccination into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year. The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles, which can be very painful and uncomfortable. It is fine to have the vaccine if you have already had shingles.

For details of this years qualifying groups and catch up campaigns click here.